Electrochemical Cells
An electrochemical cell produces electricity from a chemical reaction using two different metals and an electrolyte.
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An electrochemical cell produces electricity from a chemical reaction using two different metals and an electrolyte.
- Greater reactivity difference gives higher voltage
- Batteries are made of cells
- Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Electrochemical Cells?
Within Chemistry, which covers atoms, bonding, reactions, the periodic table, organic chemistry and the chemistry of everyday life, this topic explains Electrochemical Cells. Chemistry links what you can see in the lab to the particles and bonds behind it, so each topic here shows that link in a model.
Check that you can explain Electrochemical Cells in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Electrochemical Cells helps you explain why substances behave as they do, from cleaning products and food to medicines.
Electrochemical Cells in detail
An electrochemical cell produces electricity from a chemical reaction. In a simple cell, two different metals in an electrolyte are joined by a wire. The more reactive metal loses electrons more readily and forms the negative terminal, and the voltage is greater the further apart the metals are in the reactivity series.
Batteries are cells in series. Non-rechargeable cells stop working when reactants are used up, while rechargeable cells have reversible reactions. Fuel cells, such as the hydrogen-oxygen cell, are supplied continuously with fuel and produce only water as a waste product, without needing to be recharged.
How the interactive helps you understand Electrochemical Cells
Watch the circuit in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the circuit responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Electrochemical Cells.
Real-life uses and examples
- Read a chemical equation or diagram and work out what Electrochemical Cells shows.
- Explain Electrochemical Cells in an exam by linking the particles involved to what you observe.
- Use Electrochemical Cells to explain what happens in a lab experiment and why.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Describing what happens without explaining the particles or bonds involved.
- Mixing up the names of substances or ions when you describe Electrochemical Cells.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Electrochemical Cells
What is Electrochemical Cells?
An electrochemical cell produces electricity from a chemical reaction using two different metals and an electrolyte.
What are the most important points about Electrochemical Cells?
The main points are: Greater reactivity difference gives higher voltage; Batteries are made of cells; Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen.
Why is Electrochemical Cells useful?
Understanding Electrochemical Cells helps you explain why substances behave as they do, from cleaning products and food to medicines.
How can I practise Electrochemical Cells?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Electrochemical Cells?
Related topics in Chemistry include Factors Affecting Reaction Rate, Energy Level Diagrams, Chemical Equilibrium.